Business Plan Submission for Acquiring a Surplus Lighthouse

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada has prepared this guide to help those who wish to acquire a surplus lighthouse under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. Those interested in acquiring a lighthouse must submit a business plan that demonstrates the long-term economic viability of their proposed use and their property management capacity. A good business plan would identify the challenges you might face in establishing a new use for the property, as well as identify any possible solutions.

PART A: GENERAL INFORMATION

Submission: Original Amendment Province: ___________________

Lighthouse Name:______________________________________________

PART B: ORGANIZATION

Legal Name of Organization:___________________________________________

PART D: CURRENT STATUS

There may be an ongoing need for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) to have access in order to maintain an active aid to navigation at some sites. Is the organization willing to enter into an agreement with CCG in the event aid is required?

Yes No

Does the organization currently use this site for any purpose?

Yes No

If yes, please give a detailed explanation

PART E: ORGANIZATION

Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability.

When was the organization formed and for what purpose?

What is the structure of the organization (eg. list of employees and positions, their roles, the board of directors,
volunteers - an organizational chart may be included with submission to illustrate the organizational structure.)?

If applicable, please provide the names of lawyers, accountants, building consultant, etc. who assist the rganization.

PART F: PROPOSED USE

Please describe, the organizations goals and objectives for the lighthouse.

Please describe, in detail, how the organizations is going to achieve the goals for the lighthouse outlined above.

PART G: OPERATION & MAINTENANCE

Explain how the organization will ensure the structural and operational maintenance for the light tower and related buildings is at an acceptable standard as well as how the organization will engage required maintenance personnel and at what cost.

Explain how the organization will maintain heritage standards (Please refer to guidelines).

Explain how the organization will ensure and maintain public access to the site.

PART H: MARKETING STRATEGY

To the best of your ability, explain the site’s potential to generate revenue to offset operating costs. Provide relevant information on the local economy including principal industries. Include information on current and/or potential related tourist activities that already draw visitors to the vicinity. Provide any available details about expected visitors (where they might come from, why, would the site have particular appeal to certain age groups, etc.)

PART I: FINANCE

Please attach, with your submission, a five-year financial estimate, detailing revenue and expense projections and demonstrate the proposals viability. Organizations may wish to include a start-up budget, projected net income, projected annual cash flow and a pro-forma balance sheet (see example below). In the event that the proponent is requesting a one-time grant or financial contribution from the department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada or any any other source of government funding as a condition of transfer, it can be indicated in this section.

The following categories may be applicable to the operation of a site:

PART J: ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

Should the organization assume ownership, and the proposed use of the light house involves conversion or enhancement of the existing use in order to generate greater revenue, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans may ask for supporting documentation at a later date. Please answer the following questions:

Question

Response

Comments

Will the organization be able to provide evidence that the intended use complies with zoning by-laws and has the support of the appropriate municipality authority?

Yes

No

Will the organization be able to provide sketches and/or floor plans for proposed use?

Yes

No

Will the organization be able to provide an assessment of how CCG personnel, should they require access, would impact the business or proposed use?

Yes

No

Will the organization be able to submit comparative cost estimates from one or more licensed contractors in support of stated costs of conversion or enhancement to the property?

Yes

No

Please list any additional documentation the organization will be submitting with this business plan and include a brief explanation of the addition.

PART K: POSSIBLE BARRIERS

Prior to submission, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans would like the organization to consider the following in

There may be an ongoing need for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) to have access in order to maintain an active aid to navigation at some sites. Is the organization willing to enter into an agreement with CCG in the event aid is required?

There may be Health and Safety risks, such as the environmental or structural concerns relating to the property and buildings.

Organizations may have inadequate existing infrastructure (roads or wharves) serving the site.

Sites may have insufficient resources in place to operate the site or finance the proposal

The organization may have insufficient local human resource shortages, access restrictions due to jurisdictional issues, etc.

There may be some administrative or legal issues to be addressed in relation to some of these listed lighthouses that would restrict the capacity of the Department to transfer ownership.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the possible barriers, please feel free to contact HLPA-LPPP@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or Andrew Anderson at 613-990-8886.

PART L: EVALUATION FRAMEWORK

As responsible stewards of public assets, it is the Department of Fisheries and Ocean responsibility to analyze the business plans submitted under the Act in a consistent manner to ensure the successful transfer of the lighthouse property in accordance with HLPA and in consideration of Treasury Board policy frameworks. Consequentially, an evaluation framework has been developed that would enable DFO to determine whether potential lighthouse owners have the capacity to maintain and protect the heritage character of the lighthouse for the long term while allowing ongoing public access to the site.

Factors of consideration:

1. Ownership Structure

Public

Non-Profit Organization

Private

2. Financial Capacity

Financial position of the proponent

Availability of investment capital

Availability of alternate funding assistance

Request for financial assistance from DFO

Projected cash flows of lighthouse alternate use

3. Intended Use of Property

The intended use

Magnitude and restrictions to public access

Planned alterations to the structure and site

The evaluation framework that has been developed is based upon reviewing the proposed ownership structure from the person or body submitting the business plan, the financial capacity of the ownership group to preserve the structure and its heritage character along with an examination of the intended use of the property. Criteria relevant to these three factors will be assessed on a global basis in order to develop an overall assessment to the plan and develop recommendations.